Wicketkeeper-batsman Prasanna Jayawardene's participation in the remainder of Sri Lanka's Test series against Australia is in doubt, after he sustained a hairline fracture to his right thumb on day one of the second match.

Jayawardeen, who made 24 in a total of 156 all out, after copping a nasty blow to the hand from a rising delivery from left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The exact extent of the injury is yet to be ascertained, but former captain Kumar Sangakkara has stood in behind the stumps for the remainder of day one - and will probably do so for the duration of the game.

"There was some bruising on his thumb after his innings, so we thought we'd better check," said team manager Charith Senanayake."